Chapter 45

The furniture store was overwhelming, but my mind was elsewhere.

I had just bought a new house—a perfect little haven that suited my style. Simple, cozy, and in a great neighborhood. Best of all, it was closer to Liam’s school. The moment I saw the big backyard, I knew it was the one.

"Are you even listening to me?" Amelia huffed, arms crossed.

She had been helping me pick out furniture for the past three days, and yet my new place was still empty. I didn’t even have a bed—just a makeshift setup on the floor.

"Sorry," I sighed. "I’ve got too much on my mind."

When someone’s trying to kill you, everything else fades into the background. Survival becomes the only priority—staying alive long enough to watch your child grow up.

The memory of the fire sent chills down my spine. Someone had set my house ablaze, wanting me to burn alive. What kind of monster does that?

And it wasn’t a coincidence. First, the chase after the dinner party. Then, the fire the next day.

"Is this about your house?" Amelia asked softly.

My hands clenched into fists. "Yes. And everything else. Four times, Amelia. Four times they’ve tried to kill me, and they won’t stop until I’m dead. I just want to be left the hell alone."

A few shoppers turned to stare, but I didn’t care.

I felt lost. Liam was safe, but I missed him desperately. Weeks had passed since I last held him.

"What if they succeed?" My voice cracked. "I haven’t seen Liam in three months. Video calls aren’t the same. What if I never get to hold him again?"

Amelia shifted awkwardly. "Uh… I don’t know what to say."

I wiped my eyes, laughing weakly. "You’re terrible at pep talks."

"Hell no!" She groaned. "Look, I don’t know how you feel, but don’t let them win. The second you break, they’ve got power over you."

She was right. Losing control was exactly what they wanted.

"Thanks, Amelia." I hugged her.

"Good. Now, are we done here? I’m starving."

We headed to a nearby diner, ordering burgers, fries, and milkshakes. For a moment, I forgot the danger.

Amelia groaned, rubbing her stomach. "I’m so full I can’t think straight."

"You look like you just had an orgasm," I teased.

She smirked. "I did. A food orgasm."

I gagged. "Do not finish that sentence."

My phone buzzed—a message from Daniel.

"I have to go. Daniel’s coming to help move the furniture."

We paid and left.

I didn’t see them until it was too late.

"Seriously?" Isabella’s voice cut through the air.

She stood beside Nathan in the parking lot, glaring like she wanted to murder me.

I tried to walk past, but her words stopped me.

"Are you happy now?" Her voice dripped with venom.

I turned. "Happy about what?"

"Don’t play dumb! Ethan broke things off with me. This was your plan all along, wasn’t it?"

I blinked. I hadn’t expected that.

"It doesn’t concern me," I said flatly.

"Liar!" she shrieked.

I looked at Nathan. "Control your sister before she does something stupid."

"You’re my sister too, Sophia," he murmured.

"Not for a long time."

Isabella stepped forward. "If you think you’ve won, you’re wrong. Ethan is mine. I’ll destroy anyone who tries to take him from me."

I scoffed. "Ethan isn’t property. Have him. Marry him. Just understand—I. Don’t. Want. Him."

"You expect me to believe that? You were obsessed with him!"

"And now it’s you." I turned to leave.

"You walk away, and I’ll make that bastard son of yours pay."

The world froze.

I moved before I thought.

I slammed her against a van, forearm crushing her throat.

The self-defense classes had paid off. And now, I had a gun.

I pressed it to her temple.

"Threaten Liam again, and I’ll bury you where no one will find you."

"Sophia, stop!" Nathan begged.

"If you so much as look at him wrong, I’ll destroy you," I hissed. "Am I understood?"

She nodded, trembling.

I released her.

Nathan rushed to her side. "How could you do this?"

"She’s not my sister," I spat. "Keep her away from me. Or I’ll burn everything down to protect my son."

Nathan looked shattered, but I didn’t care.

I turned to Isabella. "Ask yourself—are you still the woman Ethan fell for? Or have you become someone he could never love?"

Then I walked away, praying she’d realize what she’d become—before it was too late.